Gigi Buffon's crazy day
Officially presented on Monday, Paris Saint-Germain's new goalkeeper got a rousing welcome from fans on a memorable first day in the French capital.
There was a first training session at the Ooredoo Centre for the legendary Gigi Buffon on Monday. After chatting with his international teammate Marco Verratti and meeting his new teammates for the first time, the Italy international then headed to the Parc des Princes for his official unveiling alongside Paris Saint-Germain CEO and Chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Before arriving at his new club's home, he was given a nice surprise: some 50 fans escorting him on motorbikes in the club's and Italy's colours, all the way to the stadium. The honking horns and shouts of encouragement touched the 2006 World Cup winner: 'It's incredible, I'm really happy. That's the magic of Paris!"
In front of the assembled media, Mr. Al-Khelaïfi welcomed the club's latest marquee recruit and predicted it would be the start of a great love affair: "To present the great Gianluigi Buffon, a great goalkeeper, a great leader, on the pitch and off it, is a great pleasure for me. He has a lot of experience and is a world champion. He has chosen Paris Saint-Germain to continue winning lots of trophies. I have always felt he would come to Paris. It's a great story that is beginning today."
The goalkeeper then went out to greet the fans who had come to welcome a living football legend, who already has a song in his honour, as he prepares to meet the new challenges ahead in Rouge et Bleu.